What is regolith and why does China fly over lunar soil

What if I tell you that in competitioneveryone wants to be the first? Of course, this is nothing new. This principle works in any field on Earth and in space. This led to a space race between the USSR and the USA, it made people strive to land on the moon and make other important discoveries. Now, it would seem that there is nowhere to strive to be the first, but there are areas in which one cannot be left behind. So China seeks to obtain samples of the lunar soil and explore them as soon as possible. Despite the fact that he already has groundwork in this area, and he can also ask for soil from other countries, including the United States, China seeks to extract the precious breed on its own. Why such self-sufficiency? Does that make sense and the costs will block the benefits? Yes! And that's why.

Looks like it is just gray, but still beautiful.

Content

• 1 How to extract the lunar soil
• 2 Why do you need to explore the lunar soil
• 3 Is it possible to extract minerals in space
• 4 Lunar Soil Exchange

How to extract the lunar soil

There is such a cosmic term (and the name of the lampshade in Ikea) - regolith. So-called residual soil, which is a product of space weathering of the rock. That is, this name is applicable to any soil that is on other planets, but basically it is used specifically for the lunar.

Technically there is nothing in the lunar soil fencecomplicated. The main thing is to get to the surface of our satellite. When a module sits on it, the rest is a matter of technology. The fence is made either from the surface of the satellite, or from a small well that is drilled on the surface.
The volume of the fence is usually a few kilograms. Larger and more difficult to collect and take away. But this is usually enough to conduct experiments and experiments.

The first geological map of the moon created

Why do you need to explore the lunar soil

Lunar soil, like any other material from space, gives answers to many questionsrelated not only to the universe, but also toearthly things like physics and chemistry. Understanding what you will deal with on the surface of a space object, it is much easier to predict what difficulties you will encounter when trying to build something on it and whether it is worth doing it.

To build this, you need to make a project, but for this you need to know the features of the soil.

And through research and analysis, you canto establish what was happening in outer space millions and hundreds of millions of years ago. For example, is the Moon a part of the Earth, which broke away when a meteorite hits, or whether there are particles on it that hit the Earth, bringing life to it. In general, there are many options, but there is another reason for research. Main reason. If I may say so, King is the reason.

Is it possible to extract minerals in space

Our planet is not infinite in every sense. In billions of years, the Sun, which is ending its age, will swallow it. Maybe even earlier its split is a huge meteorite. And certainly much earlier than both of these events, wesuck out all the valuable resources from the bowels of our planet. Given the origin of space objects and the fact that nobody has ever “dug” there, one can only guess what treasures are hidden beneath their surface.

Now the United States set out to establish productionfossils on our satellite. Of course, this is not a question of the next couple of years, but in the future it is this state that can get unlimited access to lunar resources.

Energy can be extracted from fusion and we have already talked about this, but resources are not only energy.

In our world, everything is arranged so that anyoneresources, that’s right. It can be financial resources, natural and energy. It is within the framework of the struggle for resources that all countries with the technical ability are trying so hard to explore the moon.

Lunar Soil Exchange

As I said at the beginning, you can get lunar soil sampleswithout flying anywhere. There are enough of them on Earth. The United States itself will not refuse to share these samples with China. There will be a discussion, the parties will knock out favorable conditions for themselves and the coveted container will cross the Pacific Ocean. Will it just be in that container?

It’s endless open spaces. We can only bring a couple of pounds here.

Since at stake is not just momentarybenefit, and a strategic advantage, the American side may try to disorient China. To do this, simply transfer the soil collected in the “right” place on the surface of the moon. You can also pre-clean it or prepare it before transferring it so that it shows researchers what is beneficial to the personal owners of the breed.

The Chinese are not stupid and understand that they themselves mustget what they need. In addition, they will be able to once again work out their lunar program and ensure that their ships of the Chang'e project are able to normally lunar, complete the mission and return to Earth. This year the launch of the sixth ship of this program is planned, which will finally have to bring to China what its researchers need.

Arrived ... Scientists again do not know how the moon appeared

If the samples show that it makes sense to mine somethingthere is on the moon, another program will be prepared - the production program. It’s not too late to bet and voice your prediction of how it will be. In our Telegram chat, all forecasts will be securely recorded.

In this case, of course, no one will drag oil from the moontons, and it’s not there, but rare metals, like platinum, if you can find them, it is quite possible to bring. They can also be obtained on Earth, the question is how many are on our satellite. If those metals that are mined by one gram on our planet, are scooped on its satellite simply by ladles, in such a development it definitely makes sense. And China does not want to miss its chances to move further on the path to becoming a superpower.